The latest version of Debian GNU/Linux 5.0 (5.0.8 as of this writing at http://www.debian.org/releases/lenny/debian-installer/) should be installed on each physical host used by a HUBzero installation. HUBzero has packaging support for i386 (32bit) and amd64 (64bit) Intel architectures. However the 32bit version gets more limited testing. Debian 6.0 is not supported at this time.

It is strongly recommended that you install from one of the ISO disk images listed in the above link. VM images (other than those distributed by HUBzero) and other boutique Debian installs are known to fail due to incomplete dependencies in the current HUBzero packaging.

At the initial boot menu choose the command line install.

Choose your language, country, and keyboard (English, United States, and American English will be the default)

The next step is to enter the hostname and domain name for the system.

Choose the time zone for the system (the time zones will be limited to the country that was selected previously).

The recommended minimum for partitions sizes are 100 GB bootable partition for the root filesystem, 50 GB export filesystem for each HUBzero server, and an appropriately sized swap partition.

Partitioning method: (Guided - use entire disk)

Select disk to partition: (SCSI1 (0,0,0))

• Partitioning scheme: (All files in one partition)
• Select each partition and delete
• Select #1 - then Delete the partition
• Select #5 - then Delete the partition
• Select free space
• create a new partition
• set size (ex: 100 GB)
• type is primary
• location is beginning
• Done setting up partition
• Select free space
• create a new partition
• set size (ex: 1 GB)
• type is primary
• location is beginning
• Select Use As: set to swap area
• Done setting up partition
• Select free space
• create a new partition
• use all available space left
• type is primary
• Select mount point, change to do not mount it

Done setting up partition

Finish partitioning and write changes to disk

Want to return - say No

Write the changes to disks? Select Yes

The install will begin installing the base system then ask for the creation of the root password and to create a new user. It is suggested to skip the step of creating a new user.

• Skip the step of creating a new user
• Select (takes to root password screen)
• Select (takes to Debian installer main menu)
• Select Configure the package manager. (next one down)

Choose the package manager archive to use for downloads. ftp.us.debian.org is a good choice for the archive mirror for installs based in the U.S. and leave the HTTP proxy information blank unless your network requires it.

The install will begin retrieving a list of package options and configure base components. The install may prompt to participate in the package usage survey. The decision to participate or not will not affect the install and is up to the individual system administrator.

In the Software Selection option, deselect ‘Desktop environment’ but leave ‘Standard system’ then choose to install the GRUB boot loader to the master boot record and finish the installation (when the installation is complete your system will reboot into a minimal Debian GNU/Linux system).